Over the Green Coil

A thick green garden hose lay looped in wide, lazy coils right across the sunlit patio stones. I toddled up to the first rubber ridge, planting both curled fists against its warm, springy curve to steady myself. Hoisting one footed leg up and over the ribbed surface, I leaned my weight forward, feeling the rubber give just a fraction before springing back. With a quiet, careful heave, I cleared the hurdle and landed both feet firmly in the flat gap between the loops. Looking back at the crossing behind me, I took a tranquil breath, ready for the next one.